The magic of Cold Fact and Rodriguez

I often wish I could go back to before I had heard Rodriguez's Cold Fact - just so that I could hear it again for the first time.

Cold Fact was released in 1970 and the following year there was Coming from Reality. A third album was abandoned in the mid-1970s; a best-of was released in 1977.

Rodriguez was born Sixto Diaz Rodriguez (and sometimes he goes by Jesus Rodriguez and Jesus Prince). He is an American musician.

I first heard Cold Fact about 30 years after it was released. It had been reissued for CD and a guy that ran a music store told me (some of) the story of Rodriguez. Just briefly. He told me that he was a cult artist essentially, huge in South Africa (of all places) and popular in Australia too. But he hadn't carried on. His records had flopped when they were released - but that he was so very much the real deal.

I put the headphones on in the store and heard the opening strains of Sugar Man - I don't think I made it much further than the first verse.

A new purchase for the collection. I would save that full listening experience for when I got home - I'd sit and take it in, the whole album.

Rodriguez's songs - particularly the ones that appear on Cold Fact - have been close friends for the past 15 years. It's an album I never ever grow tired of. An album that still blows people away when they first hear it - one of the great joys of collecting music is passing it on to people. Nowadays we post links (and write blogs) - but back then we made tapes and lent CDs. I've bought a bunch of copies of Cold Fact - to replace the boomerang-copies that never quite made it back; to give as gifts. I bought blank tapes and recorded it from CD to tape at least a half-dozen times. I would have doubled that when transferring CD to CD or Mp3 to iPod.

It's an album I'll sit with and listen to alone. Just curl up with the record - and listen. I'll walk around town with it in my ears. It comes for car rides; it goes out on loan - always seeking a new home.

Well last night I got as close as I'll ever be able to in regard to going back to hearing the album for the first time.

The film is one of those special music documentaries - I put it alongside The Devil and Daniel Johnstonand Still Bill - where the music soundtracks the journey, is crucial in so many ways, but it is (more) about the human story, the heart that beats behind the songs and because of the songs.

In this case there are many themes and, if you will, subplots. And many joyous, sad and beautiful moments - and it's probably irresponsible of me to spoil the great twists and turns and the sublime storytelling that this film offers. So I won't go further with discussion of the documentary. I want you to see it for yourselves.

But it took me back to when I first heard Cold Fact. And on from there to Coming from Reality. It had me thinking about people I no longer see - we're probably friends on Facebook for all I know - but hey, back then (whenever it was) we were bonded by Cold Fact. And probably many other things too of course. But if Inner City Blues or I Wonder or Only Good for Conversation came on we'd be locked into whatever stories from that time. Instantly.

The film tells an amazing story, or stories - with so many great sideline characters. And I left the cinema feeling even closer to the record for seeing this version of events; a halo-glow sits behind the picture of Sixto Rodriguez that is in my mind now. Maybe, in some way, that was always there. Before this new illumination.

Straight home from the theatre and Cold Fact goes on the stereo. Sugar Man kicks in.

And I'm thinking about how lucky the Film Festival audiences that see this documentary will be.

I'm thinking, too, about how every time I hear Cold Fact it does - in its own way - feel like the first time.

Magic.

So are you keen to see the Rodriguez documentary, Searching for Sugar Man? Are you a Rodriguez fan? (The soundtrack to the documentary will feature tunes from his two studio albums - a new best-of, essentially.)

And if you've read this far with no interest in Rodriguez I a) hope you are keen to try Cold Fact and/or Coming from Reality. Maybe you'll also go to a screening of the film. And b) a more general question: what album do you wish you could erase the memory of and go back in time to hear it for the very first time all over again? Do you in fact have an album in your collection like that; one you're sure you feel like you are hearing for the first time every time you listen to it?

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Like you, I've been a big fan of Rodriguez since first hearing Cold Fact way back in the 1980s. Great album and, a story I know very little about. Will def see the film at the festival.

Patrick
#2
10:27 am Jun 29 2012

Thanks for this, gave me goose-bumps just reading it. He was absolutely massive in South Africa in the seventies and early eighties (and probably later). There will not be many South African's that did National Service at that time that does not know most of this album word-for-word.

UK Music Fan
#3
10:31 am Jun 29 2012

The first time hearing the Lightning Seeds' "Sense" album was a similar experience for me. The dynamic lush production, Broudie's reserved, dignified demeanor, the pretty, fragile melodies, the powerful songwriting.

I realised about 2 minutes into the epic second track 'Life of Riley' that the 'Seeds were the beyond the true torch carriers for the Beatles - they had created something deeper and more significant than Revolver or Rubber Soul, and defined the future sound of pop music.

That 1994's Jollification would be an even stronger album (the greatest album of the 1990's) almost defies belief.

_Vince
#4
10:40 am Jun 29 2012

Definitely looking forward to seeing the doco. Discovered Rodriguez when I was in high school. Friend of mine even went to see him tour (Sydney). Then I heard that things just hadn't worked out and that Rodriguez was driving a taxi. I'm so glad that he's getting the recognition (and some of the $) he deserved all those years.

Ashleigh
#5
11:11 am Jun 29 2012

I went to see this documentary last night, and I would have to say it is well worth going to see. I highly recommend it, even for people who have no idea who Rodriguez is. I myself had no idea who he was before seeing this film last night, and I came out highly impressed. I have never seen someones life documented in such a way as this. It was truly inspiring.

Beacon
#6
11:36 am Jun 29 2012

Was introduced to Rodriguez at High School and both his albums remain in the top 10 albums I'd want to be stranded with! Like Simon everyone I've had the pleasure of introducing to Rodriguez's music has gone away converted! Very excited about the documentary!

Len
#7
11:53 am Jun 29 2012

Was introduced to him by my wife, who grew up in South Africa, via the At His Best album. Picked up Cold Fact on vinyl not long after and it has been a regular on the turntable. Will see the Doco when it get's a DVD release as I prefer to have albums and internets around when watching music doco's. Heard good things about the doco though.

Kaivai
#8
11:54 am Jun 29 2012

Damn. This is so cold. Have to go watch this.

justsaying
#9
11:57 am Jun 29 2012

Is it just me or should UK Music Fan change his handle to Lightning Seeds Fan?

George Henderson
#10
12:01 pm Jun 29 2012

Fact; "Political Sluts" on our "songs for Emily Valentine" album (1993) was a tribute to/pastiche of Rodriguez. Who was an underground legend in parts of NZ too. And I've read that a double live album was also released in SA and Aus., but I've never seen or heard it.

The album that I still hear as if for the first time: Strange Geometry by the Clientele. "Since K. Got Over Me" is the kind of song that hits you hard every time. Still fresh, oddly familar from the first.

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